Sleep apnea linked to 71% higher risk of heart events and death, study finds

A new international study has found that people living with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) face a significantly higher risk of serious health complications, including cardiovascular events and death from any cause. Researchers reported that individuals with OSA have a 71 percent higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality compared with those without the condition.

The findings will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 (ECO 2026), scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 12 to 15. The researchis a collaboration between Imperial College Health Partners, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London, and Eli Lilly and Company. According to study co-author Heather Fitzke from Imperial College Health Partners, the research highlights a strong connection between obstructive sleep apnea and an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, particularly among people living with obesity. She noted that even after adjusting for other health factors, adults with OSA continued to show a significantly elevated risk.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the upper airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, leading to breathing interruptions. These disruptions often reduce sleep quality and can increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease.

Researchers also noted that obesity plays a major role in the condition. Studies suggest that between 40 and 70 percent of people with OSA are overweight or obese, and individuals with obesity are more likely toexperience severe forms of the disorder.

For the research, scientists analyzed electronic health records from approximately 2.9 million residents. From this dataset, 20,300 individuals diagnosed with OSA were compared with 97,412 participants without the condition. Among thosewith OSA, 57.2 percent were living with obesity, while 56.7 percent of the comparison group without OSA were also obese.

The results revealed a clear pattern: people with OSA had a 71 percent higher likelihood of experiencing cardiovascular events or dying from any cause compared with those without the disorder.

Researchers say the findings highlight the urgent need for better obesity management, early screening, and timely diagnosis of sleep apnea. They also noted that this study is believed to be the largest matched case-control analysis of obstructive sleep apnea conducted outside the United States, providing valuable insights intothe global impact of the condition.